Best Sleep Mask Reviews And Guide: 7 Life Changers

It is undeniable how much of an impact a sleeping mask can have. You know this. That's why you are here. The ability to create total darkness in any environment can change your life. This is no exaggeration. Given the negative health consequences of sleep deprivation, improving your sleep quality can drastically improve your overall wellbeing and longevity. The key is to find the best sleep mask.

Wondering who sells sleep masks? These days it seems like just about everybody! On Amazon alone there are huge numbers of sellers. This makes finding the right mask difficult, which is why we have created this detailed buying guide and included our sleep mask reviews of the 7 top picks available today.

Why Buy Eye Covers For Sleeping?

One of the biggest reasons people have trouble falling asleep is the presence of light. Our bodies rely on an internal clock which tells us when it's time to fall asleep. This body clock is triggered by the release of melatonin. When this release is hindered, our body doesn't know that it is time for sleep.

What hinders this release? Light.

By being able to create total darkness our ability to fall asleep is made much easier. This makes sense. Any shift worker can tell you the importance of blocking out daylight when it's time to get that valuable shut-eye.

It isn't just shift workers who need total darkness to fall asleep. Those who sleep with a partner who stays up late reading or watching television can attest to this. Some people are also just more sensitive to light. Even the small amount of light produced by an electronic appliance will keep some people awake. It goes without saying that those who live in areas with a lot of street light are heavily in need of darkness.

A sleep mask is the perfect tool to help you get this valuable darkness.

What To Look For When Buying A Sleep Mask

You want the best sleep mask, right? Well, this will have a different meaning depending on the desired use. You need to ask yourself these questions:

Where will you be using the sleep mask? Do you want the best sleep mask for air travel, for everyday use, or both? Some are better for just air travel.

Do you need a sleep eye mask for kids or adults? Most will fit both, but not in all cases.

Do you want a luxary sleep mask? If you are willing to spend a little extra you can get a much higher quality mask.

How large is your nose? Yes, this will affect the fit of your eye mask. You might want to consider a mask with the nose cut out, such as the sleep mask by Nidra.

What is your sleeping position? The best sleep mask for side sleepers will be thin, comfortable, and won't slide around as you sleep. The Sleep Master mask is a good example.

Do you want space for your eyes to blink and breathe during the night unconfined? You might want to try the Drift To Sleep mask.

Do you sweat a lot while you sleep? Most masks can be washed but some are more durable than others.

Do you sleep with ear plugs? Some sleep masks come as a bundle with included ear plugs. The Sleep Master mask also has wide sides which hold ear plugs in place.

There is a lot to like about this sleep mask by Sleep Master. It comes at a slightly higher price than the average sleep mask, but for good reason. It is wider than most, uses a lovely soft satin fabric, and wraps around the whole head.

The big problem with other sleep masks is that any slight movement will result in a stream of light hitting your eyes. By making this sleep mask wider, this problem is almost eliminated. At the end of the day everyone has a different size head and nose, and so a sleep mask will never suit everyone. But this certainly comes close.

The sleep mask applies a small amount of pressure on the eyes which may or may not be a problem for you. In most cases customers don't find it to be a problem. However, some customers have noted that it can potentially cause issues during REM sleep when the eyes flicker. Conversely, some like the fact that it presses gently on the eyes because it helps to keep the eyes closed. Either way, the pressure can easily be adjusted by tightening or loosening the mask.

Velco is used on the back to keep the straps locked together. This makes adjusting the mask very easy. Sleep Master claims that the sleep mask helps to reduce sound. This should not be taken seriously. While the mask covers the ears, it has very little effect on noise. It does however help to keep ear plugs in place.

This sleep mask is loved by many and comes highly recommended. Whether you want the best travel sleep mask or just comfortable eye covers for sleeping, this is a sound choice.

Velcro straps on the rear allow you to adjust the fit for the most comfort

Does not press on the eyes

Might get warm in hot climates

Bulkier than other sleep masks

This tempur pedic eye mask is the best sleep mask for blocking out all light. Unlike a lot of the other sleep masks, it actually molds around the shape of your nose and has padding under the eyes which work toegther very effectviely. Even the few negatives customer reviews have commented on this.

Another highlight is that it does not press on the eyelids. It is slightly raised to give your eyes some space - perfect for the flickering eyes during REM sleep.

Made from a fluffy soft fabric you are sure to enjoy the comfort it provides. Though it may feel hot if you live in a warmer climate. Also, some customers find it to be a bit bulky which may affect side sleepers. It uses velcro straps and is very adjustable. It stays securely in place all night.

One drawback is that because the mask molds around the nose, it can feel a bit restricting. Some customers feel that it presses against their nostrils, causing them to snore. This is likely to depend on the size of your nose.

The customer feedback is overall very positive for this sleep eye mask for men and women. Though slightly more expensive, it is very durable and in some cases has lasted as long as five years.

This is the best selling eye mask for sleeping on Amazon. At a low price and with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee it is certainly worth at least trying.

The sleep mask is made from a super soft and breathable mulberry silk. This not only means that it is very comfortable and soft on the skin, it also a breathes really well which is important for people with dry eyes.

It uses a simple elastic strap which has the benefit that your hair won't tangle in any velcro. However, it does make it less adjustable. While it provides the flexibility to fit over any sized head, it cannot be tightened as effectively as velcro.

Due to its extra width, it does block out most light. However, it does not mold to the nose or have any under eye padding. This means that unless you have a very small nose, some light is likely to come in. This is especially true if you move around a lot in your sleep.

To summarize, this sleep mask is a great low-cost option. If you want the best sleep mask for air travel to replace those cheap basic ones you get with airlines, it makes a sound choice. It also fits all sizes easily making it a great sleep eye mask for kids.

This Nidra eye mask is a strong contendor for the best sleep mask. It has incredly high customer feedback and it is easy to see why.

This sleep mask is the perfect combination of soft and firm. It feels comfortable and is easy to fall asleep with, and firm enough to stay firmly in place and block out light.

You will love the fact that the nose is cut out. Other sleeping masks stretch or mold over the nose with can restrict breathing and become uncomfortable. By being cut around the nose, this eye mask does not restrict at all. It also means that all light is completely blocked out. Another reason the cut out works is it allows you to know which side is up when you fumble to put on the mask during the night.

The mask edges are smooth and do not feel like they cut into your face. The mask is adjustable using velcro straps, and does not apply any pressure onto the eyes.

This best eye mask ticks all the boxes. It is priced very fairly and you will be sure to love it.

Another of the best eye covers for sleeping, this Dream Essentials contoured sleep mask comes with included ear plugs and a carry pouch. Priced cheaply it gives you some bang for your buck.

The benefits of this sleep mask are the contoured design, a large amount of space between your eyes and the mask, the light blocking, and comfort.

Designed to fit over just about any face shape comfortably, the contour leaves little to no gaps for light to come in. You might notice that the nose is semi covered. It curves over the nose which for people with small noses will work well. However, the problem with this design is that if you have a larger nose, the mask will slide up along the nose. This will slide the mask up over your eyes.

The velcro strap system allows easy adjusting to find the perfect tightness. You will love the fact that there is so much space for your eyes to breathe. You won't feel confined and will feel relaxed as you fall asleep.

Overall this is another very popular cheap sleep mask which will work for most people. If you have a larger nose you might want to consider an alternative.

This hugely popular sleep mask is a great deal. Not only does it come at a cheap price, it includes 2 pairs of soft foam ear plugs and has a money back satisfaciton guarantee.

The obvious benefit to this eye mask, other than its very good ability to block light, is the size of the eye pockets. If you want to open your eyes fully under the mask, no problem. There is plenty of space allowing the eyes to breathe and flicker unconfined during REM sleep.

The mask is built to high standards, with many customers commenting on its excellent durability. You should hand wash it for best results. The velcro straps allow you to adjust the fit to suit the size of your head and desired tightness.

A potential drawback which some customers have commented on is that it is not ideal for side sleepers. This is due to the thickness of the foam which will press into the face and the straps which have a tendency to slide and rub against the ears. It is, however, perfect for back sleepers and for air travel.

The EyeSnug sleep masks are a steal. For the price of one, you get two sleep masks. Also included are ear plugs and a carry pouch. With the money back guarantee, this is another risk free purchase.

These eye masks are very similar to those above. They do a sound job at blocking out all light, and give the eyes plenty of space to breathe. They use velcro straps for easy custom fitting.

They are very inexpensive, so you should not expect the highest quality. However, they are hand washable and do appear to be quite durable. For the price, they are a good option if you need an eye mask for travel. The customer feedback is very positive and you will be sure to like them also.

Best Sleep Mask: The Final Word

Ultimately, choosing a sleep mask is highly individual. We all have different shaped heads and noses. Our budgets vary, as do our preferences to style. At the end of the day, you will need to decide if you want more of a luxury sleep mask or a more inexpensive option. If you found these sleep mask reviews helpful, please leave a comment below. Our pick for the best sleep mask is the Sleep Master.

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